Bowling ball return mechanism



June 17, 1952 E; E, POHL 2,600,918'

BOWLING BALL RETURN MECHANISM Filed March l. 1947 3 Sheets-Shee l I/llllrrl/l lli INVENTOR ERNEST E. POHL ma# l ATTORNEY June 17, 1952 E. E. PoHL. 2,600,918

\ BOWLING BALL RETURN MECHANISM Filed March l, 194'? 3 Sheets-Sheer; 2

FIG. 2 (92 72 @j v76132 l' INVENTOR K ERNEST E. PoHL BYTMMQz-@J ATTORNEY Patented June 17, 1952 eowLrNo BALL RETURN MEcHANlsM :Ernest.Erwin..Poh1, Elmhurst, N. Y., assigner to American Machine and Foundry Company, a .corporation oflNew Jersey v'Application.March 1, 1947,seria1no.731x143 (cime- 49) 'a1 claims. ,1

'llliisfinvention relates vto bowling ball .return .mechanism .for u use with --two adjacent bowling nlleyswhich employ :a common runway forreiturning athe bowling balls to the players .lnimany :bowling alleys, -itis the practice to l.

ruse a:commonfball-returnzbetween two adjacent bowling alleysin-stead of an individual ball return for each bowling alley. When a common ball iretu'rn :is .used :between two Vac ljacent alleys, 'there .are :usually transverse runways vprovided for nach alley 'which "deliver the bowling balls 'to ithe .common 'ball return runway. .The possi- '1bi1'rty:-exists,iwith this Vtype Y.of arrangement, that @balls being .delivered from .each alley simulta- `[neouslyfftothe commonzrunway will collide. This collision often results in the balls becoming jammed, broken .or 4falling .oit the runway.

-My invention Vmay :be used with .bowling l alleys where Hthe ,ball is placed fon :the transverse run- :ways by hand 'or -maybe used with automatic 4'pin :spotting machines which place .th-e ball on the ztransverse v.runways by automatic rvmecha.-

nism. l

it 4lis an object of my invention to provide a .device which will .prevent two bowling balls from Asimultaneously meeting at the point where Vthey fare .fdelivered to the common :return tand Vthereby zpreven't jamming, damage vor displacement of such bowling balls.

Another `object .of .my .invention is to vprovide va Yden/tice which will expedite lthe return .of a bowling lba'll 'to (the .player in a minimum of time `and Vwhich will synchronize the .operation of .autcmaticbowling `ball returnsfon adjoining bowl ing alleys using a common ball return runway.

.Another object .of my invention is to vprovide a device 'which will accelerate `the movement of 'aball down a commonreturnrunway after it has `been rreceiyted'frorn ran adjacent bowling alley.

A further object is to provide a device which will .not .only prevent bowling balls :received from adjacent bowling alleys having a common ball return runway from jamming or becoming deadlocked, but which will falso deflect Va bowling ball ldown the .common ball return runway when it Yis .received Tfrom one of the ladjacent bowling alleys.

.A 4turtlfrer .object is to provide a locking device Yfor a bowling alley which, when two ball-s are about to be delivered to the common runway simultaneously, `*will be :controlled by the ball -having the greater momentum.

A further object is to provide an anti-jamming .de-.vice Jfor `two .adjoining bowling alleys .havinga `.common ball yreturn runway which will .minimize wear'and .-tear .by 4absorbing the momentum of a bowling ball and diverting the traveling'bowling vball down the common ball return .runway.

.Anotherobject is to provide a gate in iront of each .transverse runway .for stopping pins and Abowling balls from being discharged .onto Vthe common ball return runway and to vfurther jprovide .means :for .maintaining one of said `gates Vclosed when-everthe other of said gates is open.

Otherobjects and .features ofthe invention will appearas thedescriptionof the particular physieal embodiment selected -to illustrate the .invention progresses. In the accompanying drawings, whiclrforma partfof this specification, like .char- Y actors .of .reerencehave been applied to-corre .spending part-s throughout .the several views f. by .side alleys having a common center ball return runway;

Fig. 2 .is aifront View of the same taken .onfline l2-2 rofFig. .1, .showing the telescoping cylinder Y.partly incross section;

Eig. .3 is .a sectional side elevation taken Yon line ..3-.3 .of Fig. 2; .and M Fig. 4 is a sectional ,front-elevation of the Apits of two .adjacent alleys, .showing lthe d-ual bowl- .ing ball return .check and the common ball vreturn runwaybetween the two alleys.

rllhis .invention may be used-either with bowling alleys `where Ythe bowling ball Vis elevated by hand for return, .through gravity, along a common runwayfor in connection with a plurality of `:alleys employingautomatic pin setting machines.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. l, the dual bowling ball return safety check consists of two pivotally .mounted check gates i2 and ld, extending into the 4path of a ball being ejected `from veither .of two adjoining ball and pin handling machines. L'Gates I2 and lc are situated near the ends of two transverse ball return guides Acolliding .and jamming at the juncture of Athe rear `guide rails .and the `com-mon center runway.

When my invention is used with automatic pin handling mechanism of the general type shown in U. S. Patent 2,389,643 issued to G. J. Schmidt on November 27, 1945, the gates I2 and I4 Will also prevent bowling pins from falling onto the common center ball return when being discharged into the pin chutes, the top of which is formed by the transverse runways 62, 64, 66 and 68 of the automatic pin spotters. If desired, reference may be made to U. S. Patent 2,293,018 issued to G. E. Hagquist on August 11, 1942, for a more detailed showing of the apron and chute employed for the automatic handling of bowling pins and balls.

Gates I2 and I4 are securely mounted on swinging brackets I6 and I8 by screws 20 and 22. Brackets I6 and I8 are pivotally mounted on pins 24 and 26 respectively which are held by blocks 28 and 30 fastened to rear frames 32 and 34 of the automatic bowling machines. The upper portions of said brackets I6 and I8 are provided with integral lugs 36 and 38 respectively at one end and lugs 40 and 42 at the.

other end. Yokes 48 and 50 are pivotally mounted on pins 44 and 46 carried in lugs 36 and 38. A telescoping link T, consisting of a cylinder 52 and a plunger 54 is adjustably connected to yokes 48 and 50.

The lugs 40 and 42 carry pins 56 and 58 to which the ends of tension spring 60 are connected. The tension spring 60, by exerting a pulling force on the pins 56 and 58, maintains the gates I2 and I4 in a normally closed position as shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 4, the pits PI and P2 of the side by side alleys are provided with automatic ball lifting cradles LI and L2, consisting of two parallel cross bars, similar in construction to the one disclosed in detail in Schmidt Patent No. 2,389,643. After a ball BI has been rolled by a player, its momentum brings it to the rear of the pit PI where it comes to rest on the ball lifting cross bars forming cradle LI. The cradle LI then lifts the ball BI upwardly as indicated by arrows in Fig. 4 and, upon reaching the desired height, deposits the ball BI on transverse guide rails 62 and 64 of one machine as shown in dotted outline (Fig. 4).

The pin and ball handling machine on the adjoining bowling alley operates in a similar manner. The momentum of ball B2 carries it to the rear of the alley where it comes to rest on the cradle L2. The cradle L2 elevatesy and deposits the ball B2 on a pair of transverse rails 66 and 68 which are similar in construction to the rails 62 and 64 of the adjoining alley. If desired, reference may be made to the aforementioned patent to G. J. Schmidt 2,389,643 for a more detailed description of the operation and construction of the cradles LI and L2 as well as of the pin handling apron which rests on the bottom of each pit PI and P2 and the mechanism actuating the same.

Guides 64 and 68 are secured to rear frames 32 and 34 respectively, while guides 62 and 66 are supported betweenv the kickbacks K and M of their respective alleys.

In order to accelerate and deliver the bowling as shown in Fig. 3. Said belts are mounted on driving pulleys 14 and 16 and idler pulleys 18 (one not shown).

Driving pulleys 'I4 and 16 are fixedly mounted on shafts and 82 which rotate in bearing brackets 84 and 86. The bearing brackets 84 and 86 are xedly mounted on frames 32 and 34 respectively. Idler pulleys 18 are mounted in a similar manner.

The shafts 80 and 82 are driven by sprocket chains 88 and 90 from a suitable drive (not shown). The chains 88 and 90, coacting with suitable sprockets (not shown) causse the shafts 80 and 82 to rotate the pulleys in the directions indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4. This rotation will cause the belts 10 and 12 to travel in the direction indicated by the arrows.

That portion of the common center runway situated adjacent the dual ball return check is comprised of a center section 92, Fig. 1, to the rear of which is secured a cross piece 94 having integral therewith or securely fastened thereto at its center a stop 96 for gates I2 and I4. One edge of cross piece 94 is provided with bevels 98 and |00 that form part of the ball support guide rails as the bowling balls leave their machines and roll onto the common center runway 92 which is mounted on the kickbacks K and M of the two machines.

Fig. 1 may be taken as an illustrative example of the operation of my dual bowling ball return safety check. As shown in Fig. 1, the bowling ball BI being ejected from the left side machine, under the propulsion of belt 10, is about to reach its control gate I2 in advance of the ball B2 being ejected from the adjacent machine reaching its corresponding control gate I4. If the momentum of ball BI is greater than that of ball B2, the momentum of ball BI will cause it to push the control gate I2 open to its maximum position as shown in dotted position in Fig. 1. If the other ball B2 has a greater momentum than the ball BI, which hit gate I2 first, the ball with the lesser momentum, BI, would be pushed back by the gate I2 while the ball with the greater momentum would continue its travel down the center runway 92 onto the continuation runway |02. This feature has the advantage that it stops the bowling ball with the lesser momentum whenever the gate, which is engaged by the ball with the greatest momentum, is not in locked position. It will also be noted that the gates I2 and I4, when open, extend beyond the center of the common ball return runway. This feature provides a positive means for directing the ball down the center runway..

The opening of gate I2 decreases the distance between pivot pins 44 and 46 but this lost motion is taken up by telescoping link T which, when gate I2 opens, swings to such a position in relation to the other gate I4, that it locks the latter gate in closed position (as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 1).

Ball B2 will thus be held back until ball BI has started down the common center return runway 92. From there, ball BI passes onto the continuation runway |02 which returns the ball to the player. Runway |02 is also supported by kickbacks K and M. After ball BI has cleared the gate, ball B2 will be released to follow bail BI in succession in a similar manner.

Ball BI, when ejected, is guided onto the center return runway 92 by transverse guide rails 62 and 64, by bevel 98 on block 94 and by control gate I2 against gate stop 96. It will be noted that the gate I2 in its dotted position forms an teleseoping link '1T assumes the position .shown in full eutlinefin Fig. at which. the ball that had beenfheld back by control .gate i4., bushes lsaune .open by the npropulsiva action or belt i2. 'The operation .of link now is similar, to that described above, except that at point control gate .i2 4is held in a locked position until the moving bail cleans its `machine and starts :down the common .center runway 3.2, at lwhich time tension cspring .6c .closes .gate i4 and the dual 'bowlingfbail return check ,is now ready for the next bailar balls to be ejectedrom either orfboth l machines The bowling ball ejected .from :the

on fthe righi'. side is guided frcrn its nia chine onto center return runway 92 by trans verse guide rails 66 and 68, bevel |00 on block.

9.4 .and by control gate 1.4 against step 196,.

While I have shown a stop device having a cylinder 52 and a plunger 54 .as Aone embodiment of my invention, it will be appreciated that other stops, :if desired, can be substituted for .this cylinder .and plunger arrangement I have shown and described.

lin .order to .provide a cushioning edect and lremove the shock .of either control gate i2 or M slamming against gate stop 95, due :to-a ball `from either machine striking `the control gate, a short light compression spring IM is insertedat .the bottom of :cylinder 52 and 'is contacted by plunger 54 when telescopic link T is .shortened due. to the -opening of either control gate I2 or id'by a bowling ball being ejected from its respective mafchine. .A plurality of air escape ports 406 are also provided in .cylinder 152v for the .escape of air 'compressed lwithin .said cylinder lwhen telescopic.

Tgisgshortened. `The spring Bil. by acting on control gates i2 and M, helps to give the bowling bali which has been delivered to the cemmon ball return runway a push down the runway. The .of `the 'bali in ,striking either @the gate l2 for d4 partially .absorbed by .spring 60 and partially dissipated by deflecti'ng .the bail the common runway.

The invention above described may be `varied in construction within the. scope .of `the claims'. for theiparticular device .selected to illustrate .the :meenden .is but one of :many possible :embodimen-.ts of these-me. The invention, thereioreyis not to .be :restricted te 'the :precise details :oi the structure :shown and described- Wil'at is claimed ris.: Y

1. Apparatus for use with adjoining "bowling alleys having .mechanical .ba-1l vreturns 'and .a common ,ball return runway, said 'apparatus consisting offuivetallyimounted .sate members :adjoining :said common ball .return :nunway :for releasing balls from mechanical ball returns :successiuely cato `sans common ball fret-urn runway, gate con" nectersrormedoneachlcfsaidfmembers-atfapoint which moves -to one .side of aa `:plane passing thrcug-h the :pivotal mounting ybf one nef :sai-d f`members and the gate ccnnecter of .the '.op'nesing -vinember when the este is Qnenedand totheiother side of. said plane whensaidgateis closed, aston .for limiting lthe distance said :gates can lopen, and a -telescopinglink ccnnecting :the fastening means .mounted :on each of :said gates cto maintain one .gate closed whenever the 'other lgate :is opened.

g2. .safety mechanism or :use @with adjoining bowling alleys having mechanical :ball lreturns return runway located between the adjoining alleys for returning bowling balls t0 thcplayers, said mechanism having, a este malintesi at the delivery .end of the mechanical ball returnc each runway for stopping balls from being deposited by'said ball returns en the common ball return runway., and linkage interconnecting said gates to maintain ,one .of said gates closed whenever the .other of said gates is open.

.3. A safety mechanism for use with adjoining bowling alleys having mechanical `ball returns and a common bell return runway between Aboth alleys, said safety device havingy a gate adjoining .one bowling alley for stopping lballs from being delivered to said common ball return runway-.a .second gate adjoining the other bowling alley for stopping balls from `being delivered to said com.- mon ball return runway, resilient tension means for maintaining said gates in ball stoppi-ngpcsl tion, and an `elongated telescoping member .connested at opposite ends to said gates to 'lock one of said gates in ball stopping position whenever the other lof 4said gates 'has been opened to deliver a bowling ball to the common ball return runway.

4. Apparatus for delivering only one bowling ball lat a time to a common ball return runway positioned `between two adjoining bowling alleys, said apparatus comprising, a bowling ball eieva-tor 4for each bowling alley, a transverse runway for each bowling alley to receive bowling 'balls -from said elevator and deli-ver them at right angles to the common ball return runway, a ball stopping gate located at Vthe end of each transe verse runway where said transverse runways join said common ball return runway, .and a device interconnecting said gates to relect a successive delivery of balls onto said cammen ball ret-urn runway.

5. In a bowling lpin setting machine installation having a plurality of pin setting machines 'located side .by side upon adjacent bowling alleys, a common ball return runway paralleling said alleys located between two machines, r-necl'ianism for delivering bowling balls out of said machines `at right angles to said common ball return runway, and a ball stop device 'positioned at the juncture ci said mechanism and said runway for releasing one ball at a time from said mechanism m effect a successive delivery of balls Aonto said Icolml'non'ba'll return runway. v

6. Apparatus for delivering bowling balls successively from a plurality of adjacent bowling alleys to a common ball return runway located in between said alleys, said apparatus comprising, fa bowling ball elevator associated with each bowling alley, a runway yfor each alley for rreceivingrbowl-ing balls from said elevators and delivering the same at rlghtang-les to said common ball return runway, gates associated with each of 'said alley runways for controlling the release of bowling balls onto said commonrunway, andlnecha- -nism interconnecting said ,gates to effect a successive delivery of balls on to said commonbarll return runway.

7. A safety device'ffor use with adjoining xbowling -alleys having mechanical ball-returnsdeliveringbowling Aballs from Athe opposite directions at righ-t langles Vto -a common ball lreturn runway located 'between both alleys, ysaid device having gates pivotally .mounted at the delivery end of each `mechanical rball return, fa spring tension said. to lock r:one =of .said gates 'whenever the other of said gates has been opened by a bowling ball.`

8. Safety mechanism for use with adjoining bowling alleys having mechanical ball returns delivering bowling balls from opposite directions vat right angles to a common ball return runway 'ofsaid gates is open.

' 9. Apparatus for use with adjoining bowling alleys having a common ball return runway and 'automatic ball return mechanism for delivering bowling balls from either alley to said common ball return runway, said apparatus comprising, a bowling ball stop associated with each automatic ball return mechanism, and a telescoping link interconnecting said :bowling ball stops for maintaining one of said stops in closed position whenever a bowling ball is being delivered past the other stop to the common ball return runway.

10. Apparatus for delivering bowling balls successively from a plurality of adjacent bowling alleys to a common ball return runway located between said alleys, said apparatus comprising, a device mounted on each alley for delivering balls from each of said alleys at right angles to said common ball return runway, and bowling ball gate stops positioned at the discharge endof said devices, and interconnections between said gates to maintain one of said gates closed whenever the other of said gates is open.

11. Apparatus for delivering bowling balls successively from adjoining bowling alleys to a common ball return runway located b'etween said alleys, said apparatus comprising, transverse bowling ball runways connecting each of said alleys at right angles to said common ball return runway, bowling ball stops located at the point of joinder between each of said transverse runways and said common ball return runway, and means for maintaining one of said bowling ball stops closed whenever the other of said bowling ball stops is open to thereby effect the delivery of one ball at a time from said transverse runways onto said common ball return runway.

12. Apparatus for use with adjoining bowling alleys for delivering one ball at a time from said alleys to a common ball return runway located between and lengthwise of said alleys, comprising transverse bowling ball runways running from each of said alleys -at right angles to said common ball return runway, a bowling ball stop device mounted on each of said transverse runways, and mechanism interconnecting said ball stops to maintain one ball stop closed whenever the other ball stop is open to thereby prevent two balls from being delivered to the common ball return runway at the same time.

13 Apparatus for use with adjoining bowling alleys having a common center ball return, transverse ball returns located over each alley for delivering bowling balls from opposite directions at right Iangles to said center ball return, a belt positioned above each of said transverse ball returns for moving balls toward said common center ball return, a bowling ball stop device positioned at the juncture of the transverse ball returns and the vcommon center ball returns, and

means for locking one of said stops in closed position whenever the other of said stops is open to prevent two balls from being delivered onto said common ball return runway simultaneously.

14. Apparatus for preventing a plurality of bowling balls from being delivered simultaneously from a plurality of adjacent bowling alleys on to a common ball return runway located between said alleys, said apparatus comprising, bowling ball runways' running from each of said alleys and connecting at right angles with said common ball return runway, a belt positioned above each of said runways for moving balls on said runways toward said common return runway. and a stop gate mounted at the ball discharge end of each of said ball return runways, means' interconnecting said stop gates to lock one gate whenever the other gate is Uopen to prevent a plurality of bowling balls from adjacent bowling alleys being delivered to the common ball return simultaneously.

15. Apparatus for delivering 'bowling balls successively from a plurality of adjacent bowling alleys to a common ball return runway located between said alleys, ball return runways associated with each of said adjacent bowling alleys for delivering'bowling balls from each of said adjacent bowling alleys at right angles to said common ball return runway, a bowling ball stop positioned at the delivery end of each of said return runways for stopping bowling balls from being delivered to said common ball return runway, and mechanism for maintaining one of said stops in operative position whenever the other of said stops has been opened to allow a bowling ball to be delivered to said common ball return runway. Y,

16. Apparatus for use with adjoining bowling alleys having automatic pin spotting and ball return mechanism associated with each bowling alley and a common ball return runway running in between and parallel to said adjoining alleys, said apparatus comprising, a transverse ball return runway associated with each pin spotting machine for delivering bowling balls from each alley at right angles to said common ball return runway, a stopgate associated with each transverse ball return runway for controlling the delivery of bowling balls to the common ball return runway, means for maintaining each of said stop gates in a normally yieldable closed position, and mechanism for locking one of said stops in closed position to prevent bowling balls from being discharged onto said common ball return runway whenever the other of said stops is opened while a bowling ball is being delivered to said common ball return runway.

17. Apparatus for use with adjoining bowling alleys having a common ball return runway, said apparatus comprising, transverse bowling ball runways runningfrom each of said bowling alleys to said common ball return runway, a pivoted bowling ball stop member positioned at that area of each of said transverse runways where bowling balls are delivered to said common ball return runway, a telescoping link pivotally connected at its ends to said stops for maintaining one of said stops closed whenever the other of said stops is open, said telescoping link having a cylinder and a plunger having a predetermined amount of inward movement, and a spring positoned between said cylinder and plunger for cushioning the shock when said cylinder and plunger are telescoped together by a ball engaging a stop being maintained in closed position.

18. Apparatus for use with adjoining bowling alleys employing automatic pin spotting and ball return mechanism for each bowling alley wherein a common ball return runway running parallel to said adjoining alleys is used for returning the bowling ball to the player automatically, said apparatus comprising; runways positioned transversely to said common ball return runway for delivering bowling balls from each of said alleys to said common ball return runway; conveyor mechanism associated with each transverse runway for propelling bowling balls along each transverse runway toward said common ball return runway; yieldable pivoted stopping members located at the delivery end of each transverse runway for preventing bowling pins and balls from falling onto the common ball return runway; means having a telescoping cylinder and plunger for maintaining one of said members in locked closed position whenever the other of said pivoted members has been opened by a bowling ball, and a cushion positioned between said cylinder and plunger to absorb the forces of impact resulting from a ball striking one of said gates while it is in locked closed position.

19. Apparatus for use with adjoining bowling alleys for delivering one ball at a time from said alleys to a common ball return runway located between and lengthwise of said alleys, said apparatus comprising, transverse bowling ball runways connecting each of said alleys at right angles to said common ball return runway for delivering bowling balls from each of said alleys to said common ball return runway; a swinging gate positioned at the delivery end of each of said transverse alleys, a device limiting the extent said gates can open to form, when opened, an angle of approximately 45 with respect to said common ball return runway to deilect a ball received from a transverse runway down the common ball return runway, spring tension means for normally maintaining said gates in yieldably closed position, and means for locking one of said gates in closed position whenever the other of said gates is pushed open to a 45 angle by a bowling ball.

20. Apparatus for use with adjoining bowling alleys for delivering one ball at a time from said alleys to a common ball return runway located between and lengthwise of said alleys, said apparatus comprising, transverse bowling ball runways connecting each of said alleys to said common ball return runway for delivering bowling balls from each of said alleys from opposite directions at right angles to said common ball return runway, a yieldable gate positioned at the delivery end of each of said transverse alleys, means for transferring the force exerted by a bowling ball on one gate to the other gate in such a manner as to cause the gate having the lesser force exerted thereon to be pushed closed, and a lock actuated by the opening of one gate for maintaining the other gate closed.

21. Apparatus for use with adjoining bowling alleys for preventing two or more balls from said alleys from being delivered simultaneously to a common ball return runway located between and lengthwise of said alleys, said apparatus comprising, transverse bowling ball runways connecting each of said alleys at right .angles to said common ball return runway for delivering bowling balls from each of said alleys to said common ball return runway, a swinging gate positioned at the delivery end of each of said transverse runways for delivering one ball at a time to said common ball return runway, a spring acting on the gates to maintain said gates in normally closed position and to yield under the impact of a bowling ball, and a stop limiting the extent said gates swing open to cause said gates to form an angle with said common ball return runway sucient to deilect a ball discharged from said transverse bowling ball runways down the common ball return runway.

ERNEST ERWIN POHL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 456,375 Bruns July 21, 1891 695,624 Reisky Mar. 18, 1902 709,163 Lahr Sept. 16, 1902 1,068,131 Holland et al. July 22, 1913 2,130,330 Sibley Sept. 13, 1938 2,207,643 Strong July 9, 1940 2,265,719 Cargill Dec. 9, 1941 2,349,968 Kampfer May 30, 1944 2,389,643 Schmidt Nov. 27, 1945 

